BOGUS MARQUIS' EXPLOITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1918, Page 2

BOGUS MARQUIS' EXPLOITS.

ATTEMPT TO RAISE £10,000,000. mew York, Feb. 10. New York is laughing to-day over the social and financial exploits of Edmond Rousselot, a clerk, who in three months succeeded in passing himself off as the Marquis de Castillot, a member of the French High Commission, and an intimate friend of the King of Spain. He is indicted for obtaining money by false pretences and for forging a Government permit to visit vessels in New York harbor. But his crowning achievement was a bold attempt through friends to obtain from Messrs. J. P. Morgan and Company a loan for the Ivin? of Spain of £10,000,000.

Rousselot, who is a young man, made his first appearance at the Woldorf Hotel where he registered his own name as a member of the French War Commission. A few days later it began to be whispered that he was the Marquis de Castillot, a Spanish nobleman. He did not personally advertise himself in this character, but adopted the device of losing telegrams and letters. Some of the letters were dated from Madrid and signed "Alph," which he represented to his new found friends was the of Spain's way of signing letters to intimate acquaintances. The "Marquis" also had some telegrams signed "Jusserand." He i said he was very close to the French Ambassador. Later he was introduced to a wealthy New York lady, from whom ho succeeded in obtaining an advance of £2,000. He gained admittance to the Lambs' Club and was introduced to Mr. Stokes, the millionaire owner of the Hotel Ansonia. One morning the "Marquis" casually mentioned that he was expecting to entertain M. Jusserand, the French Ambassador, the next day. The following morning he rushed into Mr. Stokes' room in a state of great excitement, saying, "I am ruined; my reputation has gone, my cheque has not arrived and tlie Ambassador is on his way; what shall I do?" Mr Stokes relieved the "Marquis's" embarrassment with a loan of £IOO. Though the Ambassador did not put in an appearance. Russelot again had "recourse to Mr. Stokes. This time lie showed Mr. Stokes a letter signed "Alpli" in which it was represented that Spain had need of £10,000,000, and if "my dear M. le Marquis" could raise that sum Spain would "cast in her lot with tho Allios." Mr. Stokes was so impressed that he introduced Roussrfot so Messrs J. P. Morgan and Company. The bankers communicated with Mr. Lansing, who said he had heard nothing of such a loan, which in any case would have to be negotiated between the two Governments On this information lieing conveyed to Rousselot he became agitated. A few davs later lie/ got another letter from "Alpfi," paying that It was not a Government but a personal loan that lie desired. Secret service men then arrested the "Marquis." They searched his rooms and found that he had using the official seal of the West Chester County and making ltjs friends brieve that it was the Royal Seal of Spain- The trarle mark of a well-known New York fur merchant served the "Marquis" as crest of the noble family of de Castillot.